Cholesterol
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is produced by the body (liver) and is structurally a combination of lipid (fat) and steroid. It is an important part of the outer lining of cells in mammals and is essential for normal body functioning.The word 'cholesterol' comes from the Greek word 'chole', meaning 'bile' and 'stereos', meaning 'solid'.
Cholesterol is found in all body cells. It is an important part of a healthy body because it is a constituent of cell membranes and some hormones, and serves several body functions.
The liver produces about 80% of cholesterol present in the body and rest comes from dietary sources including meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. Dietary cholesterol is absorbed from the intestine and stored in the liver and secreted when it is needed by the body.
Cholesterol is carried in the blood by the lipoproteins-
- LDL (low density lipoprotein)
- HDL (high density lipoprotein)
What is New in Cholesterol?
Cite this Article ⇣⇡
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APA
Dr. Trupti Shirole. (2019, December 19). Cholesterol - Lipoproteins - Functions - Normal Blood Cholesterol Levels - Causes - Treatment - FAQs. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 19, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/cholesterol.htm.
MLA
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Cholesterol - Lipoproteins - Functions - Normal Blood Cholesterol Levels - Causes - Treatment - FAQs". Medindia. Nov 19, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/cholesterol.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Trupti Shirole. "Cholesterol - Lipoproteins - Functions - Normal Blood Cholesterol Levels - Causes - Treatment - FAQs". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/cholesterol.htm. (accessed Nov 19, 2024).
Harvard
Dr. Trupti Shirole. 2019. Cholesterol - Lipoproteins - Functions - Normal Blood Cholesterol Levels - Causes - Treatment - FAQs. Medindia, viewed Nov 19, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/cholesterol.htm.